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RSPO resolution on plantations on peatlands

At the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) 9th session in 2009, Weltands International submitted the attached resolution, calling for the development of criteria to deal with plantation on peat. The resolution was adadpted and will be carried out.

As a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Wetlands International has been advocating for good criteria on greenhouse gas emissions and specifically on preventing plantations on the carbon rich peatlands.

Palm oil plantations on peat cause emissions in the magnitude of 70 to even 90 tonnes CO2 per year, as a result of drainage of the organic peatsoils. In Southeast Asia, areas with peatsoils (former peatswamp forests) are often used for palm oil production.